Hook assembly



Oct. 11, 1966 w. M. MARKS ETAL 3,278,163

HOOK ASSEMBLY Filed 001:. 7, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a. llm 54 I6 53 WILL/AM M. MARKS JAMES E. ASHWORTH WAYNE L. BRACK/N' E INVENTORS J. BY 2/ 1 IJM/ A TTORNE Y5 Oct. 11, 1966 w. M. MARKS ETAL 3,278,163

HOOK ASSEMBLY Filed 001;. 7, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WILLIAM M. MARKS JAMES E. ASHWOETH I WAYNE L. BRACK/N 7 7 7 3 INVENTORS BY 1W A T TORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,278,163 HOOK ASSEMBLY William M. Marks, James E. Ashworth, and Wayne L.

Brackin, Beaumont, Tex., assignors to Dresser Industries, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 402,070 7 Claims. (Cl. 254-192) This invention relates to the hoisting equipment used by drilling rigs to handle the pipe used to drill, complete and service a well. In particular, this invention relates to that portion of the hoisting equipment which connects the traveling block to both the elevators and the swivel and which is commonly called the hook.

The hook of this invention has utility when used with any traveling block, however, it has particular utility when used in connection with a traveling block having an opening therethrough, through which pipe can extend to allow the block to move vertically relative to the pipe. An example of this type block is shown in Patent No. 2,734,718, entitled Side-Opening Traveling Block and Crown Block Arrangement, which was issued on February 14, 1956.

This type of block is designed to allow the block to move up and down in the derrick, while a stand of pipe is being made up or broken out of the pipe string, without having to be deflected to one side of the centerline of the well. This is accomplished by providing the traveling block with a vertically extending opening through which the pipe stand can extend while the block moves vertically relative to the pipe stand. To avoid having to deflect the block the vertical centerline of the opening therethrough should coincide with the vertical centerline of the well along which the pipe string extends.

To gain the benefit of this type block, any hook which is suspended therebelow, must also be provided with a vertically extending opening through which the pipe can extend as the hook is moved vertically by the block. This presents no problem, usually, where the hook supports only links since they are attached to the hook on opposite sides thereof and can 'be located so as to not interfere with an opening through the hook in vertical alignment with the opening through the block. Where the hook provides a separate support for the swivel bail, however, there is a problem since the swivel bail should be supported so the swivel and the kelly joint attached thereto is in vertical alignment with the centerline of the well. Thus, the swivel support on the hook would be, normally, in vertical alignment with the centerline of the well which would, of course, block the opening through the hook and block provided for the pipe. The swivel support on the hook could be offset from the centerline of the well, however, this would result in a twisting moment being exerted on the connection between the block and hook, which is undersirable,

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a hook for supporting a swivel bail in alignment with the centerline of the well which also provides an unobstructed opening for vertical alignment with an opening in a block through which pipe can extend as the block and hook move vertically, relative thereto, along the centerline of the well, when the hook is not supporting the swivel.

It is desirable for many reasons to allow the hook when loaded to move downwardly a short distance while at the same time comprising a resilient means. Then when the load is removed from the hook, the resilient means will move the hook upwardly toward its original posi tion. Heretofore, the hook has been attached to the traveling block through an adaptor which has a centrally located vertical shaft surrounded by a coil spring.

Where the block and hook are provided with a vertically extending opening for receiving pipe located along "ice the centerline of the well, this arrangement cannot be used, therefore, it is another object of this invention to provide an adaptor for connecting a hook to a traveling block which has a vertically extending opening for vertical alignment with the openings in the block and hook and which allows the hook to move downwardly a short distance when loaded to compress resilient means which will return the hook upwardly to its original position when the load thereon is reduced sufliciently.

It is when pipe is being run into and out of the well, that the block and hook is moving vertically relative to a pipe stand as it is being broken-out or made-up in the string. Further, usually at the time a pipe stand is located in the vertically extending opening, the hook is unloaded, therefore, it is another object of this invention to provide a hook assembly of a hook and an adapter of the type described above for connecting the hook to a traveling block, which have interengaging surfaces which urge the hook into position to vertically align its vertically extending opening with the opening through the block, when the hook is unloaded.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification, appended claims, and attached drawings.

The above objectives are obtained, in accordance with this invention, by supporting the hook so it can pivot in a vertical plane. The surf-aces for supporting the elevator links and the surface for supporting the elevator bail are then positioned so only one surface at a time can be in position to support its load along the centerline of the well. Thus, the hook will pivot between two positions depending upon which support surface is carrying the load. With this arrangement, a vertically extending opening can be provided in the 'hook for vertical alignment with the opening through a block when the elevator links are in load supporting position and the opening will be moved out of vertical alignment with the opening in the block when the hook is supporting the swivel at which time the vertical opening through the hook is not normally required.

To connect the hook to a traveling block and allow it to move downwardly, when loaded, compressing resilient means, without obstructing the vertically extending openings through the hook and block, an adapter is provided having two, instead of one, support members for attachment to the hook. This allows the adapter to be provided with a centrally located, vertically extending opening for vertical alignment with the opening through the block and hook, with the support members for supporting the hook offset from the centerline of the adapter and the well.

As explained above it is desirable for the hook to be in position with its vertically extending opening in alignment with the opening through the block when the hook is unloaded. This is accomplished, in accordance with this invention, by providing interengaging surfaces on the hook and the adapter which will cam the hook to the desired position when the hook is unloaded sufficiently for the resilient means in the adapter to move the hook upwardly into engagement with the adapter.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, in connection with the attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view, in elevation, of an embodiment of this invention showing the hook assembly attached to a traveling block and with the vertical openings in the hook assembly and traveling block which are not shown in this view, in vertical alignment and moving vertically relative to a pipe stand shown in dotted lines;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, also in elevation, showing the block and hook assembly with the hook in the position it would take when supporting a swivel bail;

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the block and hook assembly of FIGURES 1 and 2, partially in section and partially in elevation, showing the vertically extending opening, which in this embodiment is an open-sided slot, which extends through the block and hook assembly to receive a pipe stand as described above;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3 showing a top view of the hook; and

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 55 of FIGURE 3 showing the arrangement of the two support members on either side of the opening through the adapter in accordance with this invention.

The traveling portion of the hoisting equipment commonly used on a drilling rig for handling pipe is shown in the drawings with the exception of the elevators. It consists of a traveling block and a hook assembly, generally indicated by the number 16. Traveling block 10 includes a plurality of sheaves 11, six being shown in the drawings, which are divided into twogroups of three sheaves. Each group is independently, mounted on shafts 12 and 13. The two groups of sheaves are spaced apart to provide a vertically extending opening 14 through the block to allow the block to move vertically with respect to a pipe stand standing in the derrick. To help guide the block as it travels along the pipe, a pipe guide 15 is located in vertical alignment with the vertical axis of the block. This vertical axis of the bloc-k is the line, indicated by the number 17, along which the block will travel as it is moved vertically up and down by hoisting line 18. -If the crown block (not shown), which supports the traveling block through line 18, is prop erly located, line 17 will coincide with the centerline of the well and the pipe string as it is pulled from the well.

Rotatably attached to the traveling block is hook assembly 16 which includes an adapter section 20 and a hook section 21. The adapter section includes housing 22, which is provided with vertically extending slot 23 in vertical alignment with opening 14 through the traveling block.

In the embodiment shown, the adapter is rotatably attached to traveling block 10. As best seen in FIGURE 3, housing 22 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 24, adjacent opening 23, which has an outwardly ex tending flange 25 attached thereto. Flange 25 is supported by a plurality of rollers 26, only one of which is shown, which are rotatably mounted on shafts 28. The shafts, in turn, are supported by block base plate 27. In this manner, the adapter and the hook it supports are rotatably connected to the block without obstructing the lateral movement of pipe into and out of the opening as would be the case if a conventional roller hearing was used.

Means are also provided to pivotally attach hook 21 to the block to allow the hook to pivot in a vertical plane without obstructing the vertical opening through the hook and block, by providing a plurality of support members, which are offset laterally from the centerline of the well, instead of the one, centrally located, support member used heretofore.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, two support members and 31 are positioned on opposite sides of slot 23, in vertical openings 32 and 33 in the housing. The support members are identical, as is the manner in which they are supported in the adapter housing, therefore, only one will be described in detail.

As shown in FIGURE 3, support member 30 has a lower portion 34 of reduced diameter to provide a downwardly facing shoulder 35. The lower portion of opening 32, in turn, is of smaller diameter than the upper portion to provide and upwardly facing shoulder 36 to engage shoulder and limit the downward travel of the support member.

Encircling support member 30 and urging it upwardly is coil spring 37 which is located between spring retaining plate 38 attached to the upper end of the support member and shoulder 36 on the housing. Spring 37, and spring 39 which encircle support member 31, are preferably of sufiicient strength to maintain the support members at the upper end of their upward travel when the hook is unloaded. Usually, these springs are provided with sufficient strength to not only lift hook 21, but also, to lift a stand of pipe supported by the hook section. Then when a stand is broken out of the pipe string, the springs will pull the pin of the lower tool joint out of the box of the next stand, thereby eliminating the necessity of raising the stand again before it can be racked.

To allow the hook to pivot in a vertical plane relative to the adapter, the hook is .attached to the support members by pins 40 and 41. These pins are located in holes 42 and 43 in hook 21, which are drilled on each side of the hook along the same horizontal axis. Both support members 30 and 31 then have a lower portion, lower portion 44 of support member 30 being shown in FIGURE 3, which extends into vertical slots which intersect horizontal holes 42 and 43. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 3, lower portion 44 of support member 30 extends in slot 45 until hole 46 therein is in line with hole 42 to allow pin 40 to be extended therethrough to pivotally attach the hook to the adapter. To avoid imposing any turning torque on the support members, their longitudinal axes should be parallel to centerline 17 .and the horizontal axes of pins 40 and 41 should intersect both centerline 17 and the centerlines of the support members.

With the hook pivotally attached to the adapter, in the manner described above, the position the hook will take with respect to the adapter will depend upon the locationof the downward load on the hook. This allows the supporting surfaces provided on the hook, to be laterally offset from each other since the book can pivot to place the surface or surfaces supporting the load in line with the centerline of the traveling block and the well. For example, the hook is provided with conventional link ears 47 and 48, which are laterally extending projections over which the upper end of the elevator links 49 and 50 can be hooked in the manner shown in the drawings. Safety latches 51 and 52 are provided to keep the elevator links from jumping out of engagement with the elevator link ears. Attached to the end of the elevator links is a set of elevators (not shown) of the type required to support the particular type of pipe being run in and out of the hole. Thus, when pipe is being handled, that is, when pipe is being run in and out of the hole the elevators and the elevator links will be in use. When the elevators are loaded a downward force E will be exerted on elevator ears 47 and 48 through elevator links 49 and 50 and hook 21 will pivot .around pins 40 and 41 into the position shown in FIGURE 1 and 3.

As shown in these figures, the springs in the adapter are holding the top surface 53 of the hook in engagement with the bottom surface 54 of the adapter. As soon as a load of suflicient force is imposed on the elevator links, however, the support members will be pulled downwardly until they engage the housing of the adapter and the load on the hook will be transmitted directly to the housing from the support members.

The surfaces 53 and 54 serve an additional function, however, other than simply stopping the upward travel of the hook. In accordance with one aspect of this invention, means are provided to cam the hook toward one position when it is unloaded. In the embodiment shown, surfaces 53 and 54 are arranged to cam the hook into the position shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 when the hook is unloaded. This is the preferred position for the hook, when empty, for this places the vertical opening 55 which extends through the hook, in position to receive a pipe stand. Thus as shown in FIGURE 1, when the hook is unloaded, the springs in the adapter will pull surface 53 into engagement with surface 54, rotating hook 21 so opening 55 can be placed in vertical alignment with opening 23 and pipe guide to allow the block and hook assembly to move vertically relative to pipe stand 56 shown by the dotted lines in FIGURE 1.

Also preferably, the position into which surfaces 53 and 54 cam the hook, should place the elevator links in vertical alignment with the centerline of the hook. This is preferred since usually, when it is desirable to have the openings in the hook in position to receive pipe, it is also desirable to have the elevators in position to be easily latched and unlatched from the pipe.

After the pipe has been run and it is desired to commence drilling by means of a kelly and swivel in the conventional manner, the hook is moved into engagement with swivel bail 57, as shown in FIGURE 2. This is accomplished in the conventional manner by releasing lock 58 to allow the hook latch 59 to pivot outwardly to allow swivel bail 57 to pass into position to engage the laterally extending portion 21a of the hook. When the hook is thus loaded with the weight of the swivel, kelly, etc. the downward force S exerted on the hook section by the swivel, etc. will cause the hook to pivot around pins 40 and 41 into the position shown in FIGURE 2 with the swivel bail 57 being supported in vertical alignment with the vertical centerline of the Well and with the hoisting equipment. When in this position supporting the swivel, there is no need for the vertically extending openings in the traveling block to be unobstructed since the block is not going to be moving up and down relative to a stand of pipe while supporting a swivel. Therefore, the hook in this position can be shaped in the conventional manner and easily provided with adequate strength to support the load imposed on it by the swivel bail. Then, when the hook is to be used to handle pipe, it will pivot so that the metal which provides the hook with sufficient strength to support the swivel bail will be pivoted away from the vertical centerline of the well so the vertical opening through the traveling block and hook assembly will be unobstructed.

From the forgoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in .a limiting sense.

The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

1. In hoisting apparatus for supporting a string of pipe having a block with a slot extending vertically through the block to allow the passage of pipe as the block moves vertically relative to the pipe, the improvement, in combination therewith of a hook suspended therefrom having surfaces for supporting elevator links and a surface for supporting a swivel bail, said surfaces being located so one is offset laterally from the centerline of the block when the other is located along its centerline, means pivotally connecting the hook to the block to allow the link supporting surfaces and the bail supporting surface to pivot into vertical alignment with the centerline of the block when supporting a string of pipe, said hook having a vertically extending slot positioned to be in vertical alignment with the slot in the block when the link supporting surfaces are in vertical alignment with the centerline of the block, said slots in the hook and in the block permitting a pipe to be moved sidewise thereinto.

2. In hoisting apparatus for handling pipe in the operation of a drilling rig, including a traveling block having a slot extending vertically through the block through which pipe can extend while the block moves vertically relative thereto, the improvement, in combination therewith of a hook, means pivotally attaching the hook to the block for movement in a vertical plane between a first and second position, elevator supporting surfaces on the hook located to support elevator links in vertical alignment with the centerline of the block when the hook is in the first position, and a swivel supporting surface on the hook located to support a swivel in vertical alignment with the vertical centerline of the block when the hook is in the second position, said hook having a vertical slot therein positioned to be in vertical alignment with the slot in the block when the hook is in the first position, said slots in the hook in the block permitting a pipe to be moved sidewise thereinto.

3. The combination of claim 2 further provided with resilient means for urging the hook toward the first position.

4. A hook assembly including a hook and an adapter for attaching the hook to a split traveling block, means pivotally attaching the hook to the adapter to allow the hook to pivot in a vertical plane between a first position and a second position, elevator link supporting means on the hook section located to support elevator links in vertical alignment with a well when the hook is in the first position, and swivel bail supporting means on the hook, located to support a swivel in vertical alignment with a well when the hook is in its second position; interengaging surfaces on the hook and the adapter to cam the hook toward its first position; and resilient means in the adapter urging the surfaces into engagement said adapter and the hook being provided with slots extending vertically therethrough, the slot in the hook being arranged for vertical alignment with the slot in the adapter when the hook is in its first position.

5. The hook assembly of claim 4 in which the hook is pivotally attached to the adapter by two supporting members mounted for limited vertical movement relative to the adapter, and resilient means urging the members upwardly to move the interengaging cam surf-aces on the hook and adapter into engagement when the hook is unloaded.

6. A hook assembly, for use with hoisting equipment on a drilling rig including a traveling block having a vertically extending opening through which pipe can extend while the block travels vertically relative to the pipe, said hook assembly comprising, a hook and an adapter for connecting the hook to a traveling block, the adapter including a housing having a vertically extending slot for alignment with the opening in the traveling block; two hook supporting members mounted in the housing for vertical, reciprocal, movement, each having one end extending out of the housing for connection to the hook; stop means to limit the downward travel of the supporting members and resilient means urging the support members upwardly, the resilient means being compressed by downward movement of the members; means for connecting the hook to the support members for pivotal movement in a vertical plane between a first and second position; elevator link supporting surfaces on the hook located to support elevator links in vertical alignment with the centerline of the traveling block when the hook section is in the first position, and a swivel bail supporting surface on the hook located to support a swivel bail in vertical alignment with the centerline of the traveling block when the hook is in its second position; the hook having a surface for engagingthe adapter, when the hook is unloaded sufficiently to allow the resilient means to move the hook upwardly, to limit the upward travel of the support members and to cam the hook into the first position; the hook being further provided with a vertically extending slot located for alignment with the slot in the adapter when the hook is in its first position.

'7. A hook assembly for use with a traveling block which has a vertically extending opening therethrough through which a pipe stand can extend to allow the block to move vertically relative to the pipe along the center- -line of the pipe, said assembly comprising, a hook having an opening extending vertically therethrough to receive a pipe stand to allow the hook to move vertically along the center-line of the well as a pipe stand is being made-up or broken-out of a pipe string and means for connecting the hook to a traveling block, including a housing for attachment to a traveling block, the housing having a vertically extending opening for alignment with the opening in the hook; two support members, mounted in the housing for vertical movement relative to the housing with each member being located on opposite sides of the opening through the housing; means for connecting the hook to the support members, resilient means for urging the support members upwardly to move the hook into engagement with the adapter housing when the hook is unloaded, and stop means on the housing and the support members for limiting the downward travel of the support members when the hook is supporting a load.

References Cited by the Examiner EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner.

H. C. HORNSBY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN HOISTING APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A STRING OF PIPE HAVING A BLOCK WITH A SLOT EXTENDING VERTICALLY THROUGH THE BLOCK TO ALLOW THE PASSAGE OF PIPE AS THE BLOCK MOVES VERTICALLY RELATIVE TO THE PIPE, THE IMPROVEMENT, IN COMBINATION THEREWITH OF A HOOK SUSPENDED THEREFROM HAVING SURFACES FOR SUPPORTING ELEVATOR LINKS AND A SURFACE FOR SUPPORTING A SWIVEL BAIL, SAID SURFACES BEING LOCATED SO ONE IS OFFSET LATERALLY FROM THE CENTERLINE OF THE BLOCK WHEN THE OTHER IS OCATED ALONG ITS CENTERLINE, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING THE HOOK TO THE BLOCK TO ALLOW THE LINK SUPPORTING SURFACES AND THE BAIL SUPPORTING SURFACE TO PIVOT INTO VERTICAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE CENTERLINE OF THE BLOCK WHEN SUPPORTING A STRING OF PIPE, SAID HOOK HAVING A VERTICALLY EXTENDING SLOT POSITIONED TO BE IN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE SLOT IN THE BLOCK WHEN 